Defending their league title this season is increasingly looking like a very difficult task for FC Barcelona. The Catalans have not been able to take as many points as they would have wanted in the first half of the season and trail the league leaders Real Madrid and Girona by seven points.
Real Madrid were always expected to put up a significant challenge to Barcelona’s La Liga aspirations this year, but Girona’s joint top spot in the league has got everyone by surprise.
Michel’s men have been able to sustain their magical run for one half of the season, and do not look likely to be slowing down any time soon.
It will be very difficult for Girona to keep up with the big boys in Spain for the entire season, but the club is committed to giving its all to fight for the title till the very end. This was clear from the comments made by the Girona President, Delfi Gila, which have been reported by Mundo Deportivo.
Speaking to Catalunya Radio, Gila made clear that he does not want any of his players to leave in January, so the team does not lose its consistency in the fight for La Liga:
“There’s no indication for it to be different. Many things can be talked about in the market, but we don’t want any players to leave.”
The Girona President addressed the rumours of Barcelona’s interest in Girona captain, Aleix Garcia, in particular:
“At the end, there’s only a clause that can make a player leave. With Aleix, despite everything that’s been said, he’s fully committed to the season and our project. He’s happy and will continue unless something new comes up.”
“I don’t know if Barcelona wants him. He’s our player, and that’s what matters at the moment.”
The Girona captain has been strongly linked with Barcelona in the last few weeks. He has a release clause of €20 million, which is not too high, but Barcelona’s problems with FFP might make paying even such a moderate sum for him impossible in the winter window.
